Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Hendrix only left ten minutes ago, after we worked from the moment she got here, only breaking for lunch. The contract I was leery about was a total wash, and after I respectfully declined, they decided not to renew the other contracts we had together, taking it one step further to buy me out of the one that was still going on. Another lesson learned. Thankfully, I kept it quiet as much as I could and only had a few emails from my followers asking why. It was hard to remain professional after a company you once liked decided to be a major dickhole, but I did it. Call it my good Samaritan act for the year.
I’m just about to get in the shower, ready to relax and have a chill evening, hopefully convincing Nico that we can order in something for dinner and watch a movie. Netflix and chill but for an old married couple. Well, the old would be Nico seeing as he’s in the home stretch in turning forty to my younger age of now twenty-eight. Delaney and Hendrix tease me relentlessly how I’ve got myself an older man, going so far as to ask if I call him daddy, which I do not. Nico dominates me in the bedroom; that’s as far as it gets.
My phone beeps, and after being on it and the laptop for what seems like all day, I’m dreading even picking it up to see who’s texting me. I do it anyway, just in case it’s my mom or Nico needs a decision about the crazy wedding. The event they have planned has already doubled in attendance and tripled in money, so much that I put my foot down because Nico was just going to foot the bill. No freaking way. Plus, it’s not necessary. The wedding we had was all that either of us needed. Reception? Sure. But to say our vows all over again? I’d rather we didn’t.
A smile and a newfound energy wash over me when I see who texted me.
Nico: Vita mia, Wylder’s asked us to meet him and Celeste for dinner. Feel up to it?
This is another thing that’s changed: texts and calls come throughout the day, more than ever. When I told him he’d have to prove to me he meant it when he said he was going to work on our marriage, Nico went all in.
Me: Sure, I just wrapped up with work. What time?
Nico: Enzo is ready whenever you are. I’m already here at the hotel.
I look down at what I’m wearing. I’m still in one of the try-on outfits that consists of a white bodysuit, cream-colored linen paper bag pants, and corkscrew wedges. The accessories are already on—hoop earrings, a few bracelets, and my wedding ring that never leaves my finger no matter what I’m doing.
Me: Tell Enzo I’m walking out now. Love you.
Nico: Ti penso ogni giorno.
My heart soars with that statement. I keep my phone in hand, not worrying about a purse because Nico is there, and Enzo is driving so I don’t need anything except my license and a spare credit card that I keep in the wallet part of my phone case. I’m downstairs, taking in the small additions I’ve added to the otherwise sparse house. I’ve added throw pillows, have fresh flowers delivered from a local florist, and there are stacks of books as well as blankets. I can’t believe Nico didn’t have a single blanket in his house until I moved in. Blasphemy. There are a few framed pictures from our wedding and then the most recent one that we took yesterday. Nico was sitting on the couch, reading through one of my contracts that was entirely too much legal jargon. I took it upon myself to wiggle my way into his lap, held my arm out, and snapped a picture as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. It was sweet and showed me how much he shows me his love instead of telling me.
I walk, turn the alarm from home to away, and walk into the garage expecting Enzo to already be inside, waiting for me like normal, but I don’t see him. The smart thing would be to book it back inside. Clearly, I’m that dumb girl in the horror movie who runs upstairs to get away instead, because I walk farther out of the garage. The door is open, so I assume Enzo must be talking to another guy, when I feel a sharp sting hit me in the neck. My hand covers the place that’s burning, and I pull out the object that’s protruding as I feel myself getting tired, so freaking sleepy, and when I realize it’s a dart, I know it's too late to use my phone to call Nico. It’s light out, and the sound of feet hitting the pavement around me is the last thing I recall.